Filter unit



2 Sheets-Sheet l S. `W. BRIGGS `FILTER UNIT Fild Sept. 20, 1939 May 15, 1945.

Mayn 1.5 1945. sjwfRlGGS 2,375,765

FILTER UNIT Filed sept. 20. 1939 -2 sheets-sheet 2 Patented May i5, i945 ,inset UNITED "STATES PATENT 'OFFICE southwest vv. Briggs, washington, n.; o., assigner to Briggs Clariiier Company, Washington, D. C.,

a corporation oi' Delaware apposition semences 2o, was', sei-mins. cesser o cams. (ci. isa-isti This invention relates to filtration, land more particularly )has reference to a lter for the oil.

in a lubrication system of an internal combustion engine.

The desirability of filtering the lubricating oil in an internalD combustion engine is of course well recognized. However, the iilters heretofore available have been open to certain objection, principally arising out of the initial cost ci the iilter, the replacement cost of the ltering element, and thefact thatthere is usually a decided limitation of space, particularly where the internal com-A bustion engine is a power plant for an automo-4 bile.

To overcome the above disadvantages `is one of the objects ci my invention.

Another object of my invention is to provide a filter that may be incorporated with one of the existent elements of an internal combustion engine without impairing the normal function cf such element.

A still :further object of my invention is to provide an oil lter element for an internal combustion engine which may be replaced with a minimum oi expense and effort. y

To accomplish the above, and other important objects which will more fully appear hereinafter, my `invention in general embraces the concept of an inexpensive filtering element which may be placed in the circulatory lubricating system of an internal combustion engine and so located as to add no over all space requirements for the engine. More particularly, the ltering element is located within one ci the usual parts of an engine which communicates with the crank-case, the filtering element being of such 'construction that it does not impair the operation of such member.

In the preferred embodiment of my invention, theltering element possesses a maximum lltering capacity for its size, its size and general construction being such that it `is positioned in an oil ller tube of an. internal combustion engine Without interfering with the replenishing of oil to the crank case or the function which Isuch a. tube serves in permitting a breathing of the crank case. In such a. position, the :liltering element is Vsupplied with crank case oil by means of the `oil pump and discharges the ltered oil di,- rectly into the nller tube from whence'it passes into the crank case.

To aid in the understanding of my invention, I have shown in the accompanying drawings one specific embodiment of`my invention, butit will of course be appreciated that various changes may be made therein without exceeding the scope of my inventive concept. In these drawings, in which similar numerals refer to the same parts:

Figure l. is a diagrammatic sketch of an internal combustion engine when equipped withmy invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view ofthe lter tube of my invention in assembled position.

Figure 3 is a view along the line 3-3 of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Maure Li is a, View along the line i-t of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows. l o

Figure 5 is a view along the 1ine 5 5 of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 6 is a detailed view of the preferred ltering material for my lter element.

Figure 7 is a modied forni of feed line for the filter element.

While my invention of course is adapted for use with practically any type of internal combustion engine, I have shown diagrammatically in Figure i an arrangement for one type of engine. in this iigure, thecnumeral l indicates a cylinder block Abeneath which Vis the conventional. crank case. The crank case carries'the usual oil pump 2 and, in the case ci Figure i, the oil picked -up by pump 2 is sent to a distribution valve ii. Taken oi from the distribution valve 3 is* the pipe i which carries the oil to a connection j 5 at the oil `illler tube 6. The oil ller 6 is provided with the usual breather tube l.

While Figure l depicts a motor in which an oil distribution valve is ,emp1oyed, it will of. course be obvious that such a valve is not essential, and a line corresponding to the line 4 may be tapped in directly to the pressure side of an o il pump or into en ou distribution une.4 As a matter or tact, Figure '7, as will be hereinafter-indicated; depicts a modified form of feed element for the filter where a distribution valve is not employed.

Referring particularly to Figure 2, it will be noted that the oil ller tube 6 is mounted near the top of the crank case `8. Traversing the 1111er tube 6 near its base is a channelled member 9 which is secured-in the tube 6 by weldingbraz ing, or in some other convenient manner. -Theo lmember 9 receives the connection 5 in the cil line I, and the members is provided with a chamber I I into which the oil initially passes. The chamber II is connected with a second chamber I2 in the member 9, the chamber I2 being closed at one end by threaded plug I3 and at its opposite end it serves as a seat for a check-valve I4 which is held.

in the sect by means of the spring I5. An aperture I8 permitsthe discharseot any oil trom.

' chamber I2 to the filler tube 6, from whence such thereon.

larly eiiicacious means for filtering an oil. ever, my inventive concept is not coniined tothis oil may fall into the crank case. `It will be noted of course that the tension on spring I ymay be controlled by the plug- I3, but when the pressure A threaded aperture I1 is drilled into the top of chamber II, and this aperture receives a section of tubing I8. One end of the tubing I8 is screwthreaded to engage the threaded aperture I1.

The tube I8 serves in effect as a quill for a iilter cartridge and introduces oil to such element from the chamber I I?.

The lter cartridge consists of a tube I9 having an inside diameter substantially the same as the outside-diameter ofthe quill I8 so that it may frictionally lit over such quill and be held securely It will be noted that the tube I9 is longer than the quill I8, and near the top of the tube I9 apertures 2I are provided, so that oil from the quill I8 may iiow through such apertures 2I. While the precise filtering material may be of varied construction, I have found that a ribbed cellulosic sheet, such as disclosed in Figure 6, is particularly advantageous in that it affords a maximum filtering action within a minimum of space, a feature which is obviously of real importance in the present invention. A s bestshown in Figure 6, the cellulosic material, designated-22 is Acorrugated to form a, plurality of parallel ribs 23 separated b`y more compressed strips of ellulosic material 24. Thematerial 22 is wrapped about tubing I9Vso that the ribs 23` run axially of the tubing,` and the ribs thereby form a series of channels 25 which extend axially of the tube I9. I have found that these channels, as described in more detail in my copending application Serial No. 237,554, filed October 28, 1938, afford particu- Howparticular type of ltering medium, and other materials, such as cotton waste, granular particles,

etc., may be used, if desired.

The ribbed cellulosic sheet material is wrapped about the tube .I9 until such tube and wrappingassume a predetermined diameter. This diameter is substantially that of the diameterof a cylindrical shell 26, which serves as a, casing for l the filtering material 22. 1

The casing 26 'is provided with an imperforate disc 21 at one end which is suitably crimped onto the casing 26, as indicated at 28, or in any other suitable manner, and the tube I 9 and -i'llter mate- 21, remain open and there is formed in effect a. A

chamber 29 intermediate .the disc 21 and the filtering. material-22,

The end of the casing ze opposite to the disc 21 is closed by a' perforatedv disc 3| whichabuts against the tube I9 and filtering material 22 and serves to hold the same in a fixed position Within ,the casing 26. It will be noted that the disc 3| is with the manufacturer, but,'for the sake of economy and lightness, I have found that it is entirely satisfactory to make the tube I9 and the cylinder y 26 of kraft paper and to form the discs 21 and 3I of relatively lightmetal. As stated, the filtering material is preferably ribbed cellulosic material.

It will be noted that the cartridge is of smaller diameter than the filler tube 6, and I have found it preferable to so locate the spindle member I8 that the cartridge is eccentric with respect to the filler tube. This is clearly shown in Figures 2 and Zi.y The method of installing the cartridge is belliev'ed to be apparent, for it is merely necessary to remove the cap'6A from the filler tube and then slide the filter cartridge along the wall of the filler 'tube 6 so @that the spindle I8 will register with tube I9. As indicated above, the metal of the per forated disc 3l is very light, and isreadlly punc- 20 Ltured. by the quill I8. Of course, if desired, the

material and the solid disc 21.

hole in the disc 3I for registration with the tube I9 may be formed at the time the cartridge is manufactured.

The operation of be obvious. Oil passes through line 4, joint 5 and into chamber I I of member 9. Such oil may come directly from the pump, from a high pressure line lfrom the pump, or from a distribution valve such as shown in Figure l. .In any event,

all of the oil in chamber II passes out thrugh- 'the ribs of the filter material and thence through the apertures of the perforated disc 3l into the y iiller tube 6. From the filler tube 6 the oil returns to the crank case. It will be noted that notwithstanding the presence of the filter cartridge in the iiller tube, this `tube mayv still be .used for the replenishing of oil in the lubricating system and permits the normal breathing function, due to the clearance between the filter cartridge and the iiller tube. It will be understood of course that at any given time only a portion of the oil in the lubricating system passes through the filter, but inasmuch as there is a` continuous circulation of oil through this filter,

the entire mass of oil in the lubricating system is maintained in a relatively clean condition.

If it is desired ,to receive oil for the filter directly from the oil pump; or to otherwise avoid an oil line exterior of the motor, the arrangement shown in Figure 7, for instance, may be employed. In this ligure, the member 9A receives,

oil throughvthe tube 4A which, rather ythan extending on the outside of themotor to a distribution valve, extends down through the filler tube 6 and into the crank case to connect with the desired source of supply. In such a case,v it is merely necessary to drill an additional threaded aperture 32 into the chamber IIA and at the lbotcrimped to' the casing 26 or secured thereto in y some other suitable manner.

The materials which may be used in construction of the filter cartridge are of course optional It will be noted that my device is also .believedpto 1 The tube 4A, suitably my invention provides an A atraves 3 eiiective filtering element which is inexpensive to manufacture, may be readily installed or replaced in an internal combustion engine, and which necessitates a minimum of space. By locating this element within the ller tube, no additional room is required for the filter, and at thesame time the ller tube may perform its normal function in the filtering of oil and the breathing of the crank case.

While I have shown and described one embodiment of my invention. I wish it to be understood that I do not conne myself to' the precise de- 'tails herein set forth by way of illustration, as

dow of oil and adapted to remove suspended im'- purities from the oil in its passage therethrough the lower extremities of said channels directly communicating with the filler tube, and means to conduct a free flow of oil from the engine to the upper extremities of said element from which point the oil may flow through the channels Where it is filtered and thence discharged into the filler tube. l

2. In an engine having a crank case and a :filling orifice therefor, a iiller tube in commu-l nication -with the oriiice, a channeled member mounted transversely in the base or the filler tube, a tubular spindle member communicating.

with the channeled member, a conduit adapted to receive said spindle member for mounting the cating with said ill-ler tube, enclosure means spaced from the upper ends of said channels and separating them and the conduit from the ller tube, means to introduce the oil from the engine to the channeled member and thence to the spindle member and conduit, means for discharging the oil from the conduit into theV space between the said enclosure and filtering element whereby a free iiow oi oil can -be maintained, and a pressure relief means in the channeled member which is operable to4 fby-pass: oil from the v channeled member directly to the :liller tube.

same within said ller tube, a ltering element illler tube, enclosure means spaced from the up.y

per ends of said channels and separating themV and the conduit from the ller tube, means to introduce the oil from the engine to the channeled member and thence to the spindle mem- 4. In anengine having a crank case and a illling Aoriilce therefor, a conventional filler tube in communication lwith the orice, a channeled member mounted transversely in the base of the ller tube, a tubular spindle member communim eating with the channeled member, a conduit adapted to receive said spindle member for mounting the same within said iillerv tube, a iiitering element positioned around said conduit, said element forming well defined channels extending longitudinally through said element, said channels permitting a relatively freie new of cil and adapted to remove suspended impurities from the oil in its passage therethrough the lower extremities of said channels directly communicat ing with said filler tube, enclosure means spaced from the upper ends of said channels and septering element being eccentrically mounted with respect to the iiller tubeto form an oil passage through the tube having a cross-sectional area substantially equal to the cross-sectional area of the said oriiice.

5. in an engine having ya crank case, said crank case having a iilling orice therefor, a

` nller tube in communication with the orifice and ber and conduit, and means for discharging the l oilV from the conduit into the space between the said enclosure and ltering element whereby a free flow of oil through the lter channels. can bemaintained.

3. In an engine having a crank case and a from the oil in its passage therethrough the lower extremities of said channels directly communiinclined at an angle to the horizontal, a channeled member mounted transversely in the base of the nller tube and having communication therewith, a tubular spindle member communieating with the channeled member, a casing having an upper closure member and a lower perl in its passage therethrough means to introduce oil from the engine to the channeled member and thence to the spindle member and conduit, passages in the conduit communicating with the upper ends of the channels, and a pressure relief valve in the channeled member which is operable to by-pass oil from the channeled member to the filler tube when the pressure is raised above a Predetermined'amount whereby a free now of Voil can be maintained.

`6. In an engine having a crank: case,y said crank case having a filling orifice therefor, a fil/1er tube in communication with the orifice and inclined at an angle to the horizontal, a channeled member mounted transversely in the base of the filler tube and having communica` 'viding Well dened channels extending longitudinally through said element, means'to introduce oil from the engine to the channeled mem.

ber andthence to the spindle member` and con-v duit, passages in the conduit comrztunuicating4 with a space above the upper ends of the channels, and a pressure relief valve in the channeled member which is operable to by-pass oil from"y the'channeled member to the ller tube whenv the pressure is raised above a predetermined amount whereby a free flow of oil can :be maintained, said casing being eccentrically mounted with respect to the ller tube to form -an oil pasisage through the tube having a cross-sectional area substantially equal to the cross-sectionai area of the said orifice. v

soU'rHwIcK W. BRIGG'S. 

